Epstein: The lag in registering dispensaries

Tuesday

Jul 15, 2014 at 2:23 AM

Why you praise an agency ["DPH marijuana licensing process back on track," July 12]that failed miserably to perform a simple task is incomprehensible in light of the fact that the law commanded the agency to have at least one treatment center open and serving patients in each county by early last winter.The law is also explicit that until treatment centers open qualified patients with a recommendation or their designated caregiver registered with the department may obtain marijuana from the "black market" or grow; clearly, an incentive for prompt compliance by the department with its duties.While the department is fiddling and diddling in its duty to register treatment centers, it objects to caregivers with the ability to get marijuana for patients to do so for more than one patient. It is blind to the fact that most patients do not have the ability to grow or otherwise get the herb. An herb that makes them feel better and happier by reducing or eliminating their consumption of prescription drugs that are less effective at treating their conditions and have unpleasant and potentially deadly side effects.STEVEN S. EPSTEINGeorgetown